Kurt: Cowboy (Members From Money Book 23)

by Katie Dowe

  Suddenly a rhythmic thumping filled the room and despite all of her control Lateisha gasped, bringing a hand to cover her mouth, and a tear slipped from her eye.

  “And that’s the heartbeat,” the doctor pressed a button, which Lateisha assumed was record and minutes later a few photos printed out.

  Bryce took her hand and she looked at him; a strange emotion passing between the two of them. That was when Lateisha knew she was in trouble. She was falling for him and this baby.

  *****

  Bryce watched Lateisha’s face as the sound of the baby’s heart beat filled the room. A feeling he didn’t want to identify so soon filled his chest. Without thinking he grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. The look she gave him melted his heart but Bryce maintained his composure. The sound of his child’s heartbeat was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard and Bryce wanted to shout from the rooftops that he was having a baby, with the most beautiful woman alive. Shaking his head to clear the crazy thoughts, but not abandoning them altogether, Bryce slipped his hand from Lateisha’s just as the nurse handed them both an ultrasound picture.

  “No, no. I don’t, I mean…” Lateisha glanced at him, pain and confusion on her face.

  “It’s alright,” he said nodding towards the picture.

  “Are you sure? It won’t be too weird?” Lateisha took the picture and pressed it to her chest, snatching it away quickly when she realized what she was doing.

  Bryce watched her; never surer of what he had to do. “No, it won’t be weird.”

  *****

  Lateisha’s emotions were all over the place and she could only attribute it to rapidly changing hormones. It couldn’t possibly be that she changed her mind about having children, or that she wanted to be with Bryce. She was just hormonal. Pregnancy did that. Right?

  Rubbing her face with her hands, Lateisha settled into the limo, turning away from Bryce and looking out the window. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to look at him, but she was afraid to. What if he saw the way she was beginning to feel about him? Not that she was even ready to admit to herself how she felt about him. Who knew being a surrogate would be so emotional, but of course not all women fell in love with the man whose baby they were carrying. Lateisha gasped and Bryce turned and looked at her. No, it wasn’t possible that she was in love with him. Sighing, she settled back against the seats, rubbing her temples, the beginnings of a headache pounding against her forehead.

  “Are you alright?” Bryce asked her for what seemed like the fifth time that day.

  Lateisha nodded, unwilling to talk, too afraid she would say something stupid.

  “Talk to me, Lateisha. I think we really need to talk, about a lot of things.” Bryce scooted closer, turning her shoulders toward him.

  She shook her head. “I can’t. Not right now, Bryce. I need,” she rubbed her face again; “I need time.”

  Bryce nodded. “Take all the time you need. I just want you to know that I’ll wait. And I don’t expect you to sign that paper just yet.”

  Lateisha looked at him, his words sinking in. What did he mean? Exiting the limo, Lateisha climbed out, declining Gerry’s hand for help. She walked into the building slowly and noticed Bryce didn’t try to catch up.

  Why didn’t he want her to sign? Too exhausted to dwell on his words, Lateisha changed from her jeans and shirt, leaving them to fall where they did. All of this was too much for her and she needed time to let it all sink in. Getting ready for bed her mind was whirling and she almost forgot to brush her teeth. After lying down she slipped the ultrasound photo from her pocket and stared at it. That was her baby. Shock registered when she realized that was the first time she called the baby hers.

  Chapter 8

  Lateisha avoided Bryce all weekend, even spending the night at Becky’s apartment for a ‘girl’s night’. She couldn’t face him yet until she knew what to do about her situation. As far as she could tell she had two choices; pretend like Bryce and the baby meant nothing to her, give birth and cut ties and never see them again or tell Bryce how she felt and risk rejection or a court battle for custody of their child. Both seemed like painful choices, but the idea of the first one hurt her deeply. Before today, she was afraid to admit the way she felt about having a child. Now the idea of being without the child caused her great pain. Looking down at her nonexistent bump, Lateisha placed a hand over her stomach. Number one was not an option and after great thought she came to one conclusion; she would fight for her child.

  Nerves ate at her stomach as she rode the elevator to the fifteenth floor for her first day as John’s assistant. How would Lateisha tell Bryce that she refused to sign the relinquishment of parental rights paper? He wouldn’t take it well. He would be angry. But he would live. There was no doubt in Lateisha’s head that he wouldn’t want a relationship. They were from different worlds and wanted different things. While she realized she loved him, she also knew that she could never be with him. She wasn’t good enough for him and they both knew it. Sighing with frustration, Lateisha exited the elevator, smoothing her knew skirt suit nervously. Becky made her buy the suit and it was way too expensive but she was right. Having a new outfit to wear for the first day of a new job did make her feel better.

  “Can I help you?” What the hell was the blond bitch from Bryce’s floor doing here?

  “Uh, yes. I’m here to see Mr. Wilson. I’m his new assistant.” Lateisha said, making sure not to sneer at the bitch.

  “Oh,” she said with disdain. “He’s back in his office. At least now I can get back to Bryce.” The bitch winked at her and Lateisha wanted to slap her.

  What the hell did that mean?

  Lateisha brushed it off and walked down the hall, which was eerily similar to the one upstairs. She knocked softly on the door.

  “Come in,” a gruff voice said loudly.

  Lateisha entered the office, the butterflies fluttering hard in her belly.

  “Hello, Mr. Wilson. I’m Lateisha Aaron, your new assistant.” She walked to his desk pushed out her hand to shake his.

  John reluctantly offered his hand and Lateisha frowned. Why were all of the employees in this office so rude?

  “Have a seat and we will discuss your duties,” he barked and Lateisha sat.

  John droned on for over twenty minutes about what Lateisha’s position included. It was mainly answering phones; taking messages and running inner office errands so why he had to give her a huge spiel was unknown to her. Finally he stopped and stood, motioned to the desk that the bitch had just vacated and gave her a dismissive wave. What Lateisha really wanted to know; when was her break, where was the kitchen, how did she use the phone system, never came up in his lecture. Unfortunately that meant she would have to call Bryce. Afraid of the unknown phone system and wanting to avoid the blonde bitch, Lateisha pulled out her cell phone and dialed Bryce’s number from memory.

  “Hello?” He answered on the first ring.

  “Bryce, it’s me,” she said, hoping he knew her voice.

  “Lateisha? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, don’t worry. I mean, I just got into the office and I met John, er, Mr. Wilson and he talked to me about my position a bit. He did leave out a few things though. Where do I put my lunch? I didn’t see a kitchen when I was walking in. Also, what time do I take lunch? And how the hell do I use these phones?” Lateisha stood and looked down the hall to make sure John couldn’t hear her. He was on the phone in his office, the door pulled closed, with his back to the door. Glass walls were a gift and a curse.

  Bryce chuckled. “Slow down and take a deep breath. You get lunch opposite of Rachel, my assistant, just in case any important calls come through during that time. She usually goes around noon, so you would have the one o’clock slot. We only have one kitchen and it’s on my floor. Feel free to come and go as you please. If you want to come eat lunch with me today I’ll show you how the phones work. Otherwise, Rachel can show you.”

  Late
isha snorted at his last comment and Bryce laughed. “I’ll come to your office for lunch.”

  “Great!” Bryce exclaimed. “I mean that will be nice,” he added with slightly less enthusiasm.

  Lateisha stifled a laugh. They exchanged goodbyes and then she hung up, stowing her phone and purse inside of her desk and locking it. Checking around to be sure that no one needed her, Lateisha headed to the elevators to ride up to the sixteenth floor. Bryce insisted that his chef make them each a healthy lunch to bring to work that day so Lateisha didn’t want it to spoil.

  Punching the number sixteen in the elevator, Lateisha looked down at her new, and really expensive, heels. They weren’t so comfy but they were beautiful. The elevator opened up and Lateisha stepped out, looking down the hall. There at her desk, sitting tall and beautiful, was the Blond Bitch. It was either Lateisha’s imagination or the woman was sneering at her. Convincing herself it was her imagination, Lateisha walked towards the glass double door. She reached out and tugged. They were locked. Sighing, she knocked on the glass. The bitch looked up and smirked, knowing damn well she saw Lateisha exit the elevator, and took her time pressing the button to allow her to enter.

  Lateisha sauntered through the door, an evil look on her face. “Thanks for opening the door,” she said with contempt.

  The bitch smiled bitterly. “I didn’t see you there,” she replied with fake remorse and grabbed her chest.

  Lateisha ignored her and walked down the hall towards the kitchen seething with anger. Who did that bitch think she was and what the hell was her problem? Stopping in the entrance to the kitchen she looked around. It was a nice size for an office kitchen. There was a large French door refrigerator, an area in the corner with a small round table, a microwave and a sink next to the fridge and the obligatory coffee maker. There were even two soda machines and a snack machine. Lateisha eyed up the soda machine to see if it had ginger ale; Bryce’s one exception for soda since she was pregnant and nauseated.

  “Checking out the new digs?” Bryce said from behind her and she jumped. The assistant had her on edge.

  “Yes I am. But don’t ever say that again.” Lateisha laughed and deposited her lunch bag in the fridge.

  “Why? Isn’t that what all the cool kids say?” Bryce chuckled, clearly pleased with his joke.

  “I don’t think they do.” Lateisha turned to walk from the kitchen and back down the hall towards the elevators.

  “I thought you wanted to learn the new phones?” Bryce asked, grabbing her arm.

  Lateisha closed her eyes. His hand on her arm made her want things she had no business wanting. How could he do that to her with just one touch?

  “I, uh, thought we were doing that at lunchtime?” She stuttered.

  “Since you’re here, let’s just get it out of the way.”

  Bryce didn’t release her right away and they stood, staring at each other. The sound of a person clearing their throat made Lateisha jump back and Bryce drop her arm.

  “Bryce, getting cozy with the new assistant?” His assistant asked, tsking her tongue.

  Bryce glared at her and Lateisha wondered what was going on there. “Just showing her around, Rachel.” Bryce placed his hand on the small of Lateisha’s back and ushered her from room. Then he turned back to Rachel. “And I won’t tell you again to call me Mr. Henderson.”

  Rachel feigned injury to her pride, pouting her lip out and dropping her eyes. Bryce turned from her and rolled his eyes. Lateisha didn’t say a word just kept walking until they reached Bryce’s office. It wasn’t any of her business what went on with his assistant. Was it?

  “I’m sorry for that. Have a seat behind my desk and I’ll show you the phone system. It’s quite easy once you know what you’re doing.”

  Lateisha sat down in Bryce’s plush leather chair, sinking into the cushion a bit. Bryce walked behind her and leaned forward, his face close to hers. Lateisha inhaled his scent and her face heated. He was too close. Despite her efforts to ignore his proximity and concentration on what he was saying, Lateisha could only think about the last time they were together and she was in his arms. Her breathing became labored and her heart began to pound. The sensitive spot between her legs began to throb with need. It was too much.

  “Can you back up a bit?” She asked, trying to hide her distress.

  Bryce looked at her funny and smiled. He knew damn well what he was doing to her and he was enjoying it.

  “What’s wrong, Lateisha?” He asked, his voice husky.

  This was not happening her first day at a new job. Sure, he owned the company but this had to be frowned upon.

  “Bryce, I…”

  “What? What do you want?” He asked, leaning in so that she could see the pulse at his neck jumping. He was just as aroused as she was.

  “I can’t do this!” She said, jumping to her feet and knocking him back.

  “Lateisha…”

  “No, I can’t, Bryce. I just got this job. I need this job. Please just show me the phones so I can get back downstairs.” Lateisha begged him with her eyes as well as her words.

  Bryce nodded, the look on his face unreadable. He took the next fifteen minutes to explain the phones, staying as far away from where she sat as he could. Lateisha knew it was to make a point but that didn’t make it any easier for her. When he was finished, she stood, thanking him and turned towards the door. Just as she stepped out she felt his hand on her bicep.

  “This isn’t over, Lateisha. Far from it. You can’t run from me forever.” He turned and headed back to his desk.

  A chill ran down Lateisha’s spine from anticipation. What did he mean by that?

  *****

  Bryce followed Lateisha from the room with his eyes. A few months ago he would have balked at a display like that in the office. Today he couldn’t keep his hands, or anything else, away from her. Cursing under his breath, Bryce stood, unable to concentrate on the memo he had been typing when he heard her enter the office space. Actually, it was more like he felt her enter. He couldn’t see the kitchen area from his office but he had the urge to go down there. When he got there he understood why. Lateisha was there. His body, and his mind apparently, wanted to be where she was at all times. Running a hand over his face, Bryce stood and walked to the window. The skyline below never ceased to amaze him. Lateisha never ceased to amaze him. If he had only met her before all of this surrogate nonsense. No, this surrogate nonsense brought her to him. He was a firm believer that everything happened for a reason. Lateisha was the reason for this whole mess and he would do anything to make her understand just how much he wanted her.

  *****

  “Lateisha, can you get in here please!” John bellowed at her for the fourth time in an hour.

  Four hours in and the work was nonstop. She had already taken two memos, ran more copies than she could count, hand collated all of the copies, took a dictation, made fifteen cups of coffee and was working on editing a brief that Mr. Wilson needed to go out before lunch, which was in twenty minutes. It didn’t help that he called her into his office several times an hour and added something new to her tasks, as if he wanted her to stop what she was doing and complete the new task first. Lateisha developed a system the third time he did it. She had an in and out box organizer on her desk and she found another one in the copy room lying abandoned on the counter. The organizers were used to set up a place order for most important and next in line. So far the system was working and kept her from getting confused and off task.

  Sighing, Lateisha stood, glancing once more towards her organized files. This job was helping her feel proud of herself for once. She stepped into John’s office, a pen poised over a notebook waiting for him to give her instructions.

  “Lateisha, can you please get Nashima in Tokyo on the line? And prepare the conference room for the lunch conference. Did you order the sandwiches?” Mr. Wilson rattled off a list and Lateisha wrote quickly. “And where are the briefs I asked you
to edit earlier?”

  “I’m editing them right now, Mr. Wilson. The sandwiches will be here in thirty minutes and I’m having them set up in the conference room along with some drinks and other necessities. I typed and sent out the memos and I’m almost done with the dictation as well.”

  John looked at her strangely before dismissing her from the room. Shrugging, Lateisha went back to her desk and finished up a few things before shutting down the computer and grabbing her purse. She was oddly surprised at how happy she was with the possibility of seeing Bryce when she went upstairs to get her lunch. It was an obviously stupid thought, especially since she knew she was letting him go. Punching the number for the sixteenth floor harder than she meant, Lateisha tapped her foot with impatience. Her mood went downhill quickly. She started off happy to be seeing Bryce and suddenly she was melancholy and wanted to get the whole thing over with.

  The elevator door opened and Lateisha was relieved to see that Rachel wasn’t at her desk. She knew from the fifteenth floor, if she wasn’t there to buzz someone in the door was left unlocked. It seemed like a security flaw but Lateisha wasn’t concerned about it. She pulled the glass doors opened and walked into the office. It was quiet and it seemed most everyone was out to lunch. Lateisha hurried down the hall to the kitchen, looking around for Bryce even though she knew it was a bad idea. Where was everyone? Was there some sort of meeting she wasn’t aware of? Then she remembered the lunch conference downstairs that she had set up. Probably most of the office was there and the rest were out to lunch. Relaxing at the idea of being left alone, by not only Rachel but also Bryce, Lateisha yanked open the fridge and sought out her lunch. Locating it pushed to the back by a large tray of sandwiches, she retrieved it and stood. Lateisha felt a presence behind her and turned around.

  “Hey.” It was Bryce.

  “I didn’t think anyone was here. All the rest of the associates are downstairs for the lunch meeting.” She looked behind him as if looking for a way to escape. This was crazy. It was just Bryce.